World War II in Pictures- On the same day they entered Belgium, the Nazis thrust into Holland. Surrender terms were being negotiated when, on May 14, 1940 the Luftwaffe needlessly bombed the center of Rotterdam, killing more than 800 people and wounding several thousand.

It was a vivid example of Hitler's use of Schrecklichkeit (frightfulness) to force his enemies into submission. Queen Wilhelmina escaped to England to set up a government in exile, and Dutch resistance continued throughout the war.